AMIkids

In 2013 the Sunnyland Chapter expanded SCAMPY in conjunction with the Associated Marine Institute, Jacksonville (AMIKids-Jax).  AMIKids-Jax is a fully accredited special education program for at risk students. AMI is headquartered in Tampa and has 49 locations in 9 states.  It was founded in Boca Raton by a judge and his friend who saw an opportunity to rehabilitate at risk kids by using boats and marine related experiences as a backdrop.

Working with AMIKids-Jax, SCAMPY devised a program using an existing on campus building and equipping it with woodworking tools.  Twice each week 2 or 3 Sunnyland volunteers supervise up to 5 students for a 1 ½ hour shop class focusing on safety, proper use of tools and boat building.  So far the students have built three 8 foot Minimost sport hydroplanes from plans by William Jackson.  Because there is turnover, there have been more than 50 students who have worked on some aspect or the other of building the boats.

The pay off is the outing where the students learn how to handle the boat on the water and get to take the boat that they helped build out for a solo spin around the lake.

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